Ephesians 5:8-10

1. I went to Walmart to meet my friend from Pelly on Wednesday. While we were exploring the store, we checked out the Electronics section and saw some impressive TVs. They ranged from 32 inches to 65 inches, and all of them were slim LED TVs. It reminded me of when I learned the basics of Digital Electronics back in college. Even though we can't see it, both LCD and LED TVs have light bulbs on each side. Without these bulbs, we wouldn't be able to see the colors and images on the LCD screen. When the colors meet the light, it creates a clear image for us to see. Our human experience is intricately tied to our senses—sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch. I emphasize this because our experience is not merely theoretical; it's practical and tangible. We can witness it with our own eyes or feel it, allowing us to articulate and testify about it immediately after experiencing it.

2. Therefore, to explain or interpret our experiences, it is essential to have a proper purpose or theory. The interpretation of experiences requires the right perspective and insight. Consider, for instance, a gloomy or foggy sky – what thoughts or emotions come to mind? Personally, I appreciate gloomy weather because it brings back memories of a time when I doubted my future. Through this recollection, I can trace my journey from being a sinner to becoming a child of God, thanks to His love. Without this memory or the understanding of love, I might perceive gloomy weather as making me unhappy or sad. I explored the concept of walking in love based on Ephesians 5 in the recent Sunday sermon. It emphasized how living in love aligns with our new identity in Jesus. Being saved and becoming children of God enables us to embark on a journey of walking in love. Today, my focus is on delving into the significance of walking in the light. Let us read Ephesians 5:8-10.

Ephesians 5:8–10 NKJV

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.

3. When studying the Bible, there are two approaches: deductive Bible study and inductive Bible study. Deductive study focuses on a specific theme, such as understanding the concept of love in Ephesians 5 or exploring Jesus' teachings on salvation in Matthew 5. It involves seeking answers related to a predetermined topic. On the other hand, inductive Bible study starts with raw study material, like reading the Book of John. As individuals engage with the text, they discover meanings of specific words or study themes within the book itself. Today, we can apply both deductive and inductive methodologies to explore the meaning of "Walking in the Light" in Ephesians 5:8-10.

4. As we read Ephesians 5:8-10, I notice significant keywords like darkness, light, walk, and acceptable and a preposition “in.” Feel free to identify your own keywords. For now, let's delve into the words I emphasized. The term "darkness" refers to a place or time where perception or visibility is limited. In darkness, it becomes challenging to discern things accurately. The concept of darkness is initially introduced in Genesis 1:2.

Genesis 1:2 AMP

The earth was without form and an empty waste, and darkness was upon the face of the very great deep. The Spirit of God was moving (hovering, brooding) over the face of the waters.

5. Exactly, as described in Genesis 1:2, during the formless and empty state of the earth, darkness prevailed. In this darkness, the absence of distinct form and structure suggests a lack of time, meaning, and measurable space. Meaningfulness is often tied to visibility and recognition. In darkness, these essential aspects are obscured, emphasizing the importance of light for understanding and perceiving. When Paul mentions "for you were once darkness," we can interpret it as saying that we couldn't see or understand our true selves, and we were unable to recognize our potential because we were in a state of darkness.

6. The next term is "light." In Greek, the word for light is literally like a fire, such as a torch. Do you know when Edison invented the light bulb? It was in 1879. Before that time, people used torches or lamps to illuminate their rooms or streets, although not as brightly as a light bulb does. Even though we translate the Greek word "Potos" as light, it originally refers to fire or a torch. The primary function or purpose of fire or a torch is to illuminate a specific area, enabling people to see and carry out their work. Now, let's consider the word "in." In Greek, "in" can have various meanings, including "in," "by," "with," or "before." The choice of meaning depends on grammatical considerations and the context in which it is used.

7. Using these two words, if we translate the phrase "Now you are light in the Lord," it could be understood as: "You are a torch in the Lord," "You are a torch by the Lord," or "You are the fire with the Lord." When translated with "in," it signifies our established status in God through Jesus. If translated with "by" or "with," it conveys that we are children of God, available for God's use in advancing His kingdom. This implies that we are His servants, capable of following His path through our new identity.

8. With these two prepositions, we can gain a fresh understanding of "walk as children of light." While Bible commentators often interpret the word "walk" as "live," it holds a more active connotation. Walking is not merely living; it implies an active engagement. Living can occur without walking, but walking requires life. Through walking, we demonstrate activity. For instance, in my efforts to control diabetes and manage weight, I incorporated walking into my routine. Immanuel Kant, a renowned 18th-century philosopher, was recognized in his village by his regular walks, marking the time at about 1 pm. When he didn't walk, people sensed something amiss. Thus, walking is intertwined with showcasing our activity and engagement. The suitable example is when Israelites walked in the wilderness, they could display God's glory through their walk.

Exodus 40:36–38 NLT

Now whenever the cloud lifted from the Tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out on their journey, following it. But if the cloud did not rise, they remained where they were until it lifted. The cloud of the Lord hovered over the Tabernacle during the day, and at night fire glowed inside the cloud so the whole family of Israel could see it. This continued throughout all their journeys.

9. Even when God covered them with the cloud and the fire, their actions revealed God's work as they followed these manifestations. Their obedience wasn't a means to fulfill God's saving work in them; instead, it showcased God's ongoing work within them. This underscores the significance of our obedience before God. Some scholars suggest a synergistic view where God initiates salvation, and we contribute to its completion through obedience. However, I don't align with this perspective. Salvation, as seen in God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt, is a work accomplished solely by God. Through our obedience, we don't complete salvation; rather, we showcase God's sacred work within us. Walking in the light allows us to demonstrate God's light, love, and purpose to the world. As we love one another and walk in love guided by the Light, the world recognizes us as children of God.

John 13:34–35 NIV

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

10. Absolutely, "walk in the light" signifies that we are children of light, and our actions become the LED TV for the world. When we walk in the light, the world witnesses God's glory and love through us. Much like an LED TV needs light bulbs to display vivid colors, we, too, were like an LED without light bulbs before – unable to showcase God's brilliance. However, God has now provided us with the light bulbs within, enabling us to display His radiance. As we walk in the light, people in the world can perceive God and His love through our actions, much like a well-lit LED TV presenting vibrant images.

11. How can we walk in the Lord if so? To effectively display God's love and glory through us as His LED TVs, one crucial step is engaging in genuine worship. While there are numerous ways to achieve this, the initial step is worshipping the Lord with sincerity. When we come to worship, it's essential to reflect on our motives. Some attend church on Sundays out of fear of God's curse or as a family tradition. Others may come for monetary incentives like my friend or with the belief that it contributes to their journey to heaven like me. The purpose behind attending church significantly influences the quality of our worship. For worship to be acceptable to the Lord, it should stem from a sincere desire to honor and connect with Him, rather than being driven by fear, tradition, financial gain, or personal ambitions. True worship involves a genuine expression of love, gratitude, and reverence towards God.

12. We should not approach worship with personal expectations or the desire to be blessed. Worship is about walking in the Light, revealing God's love to the world. It's akin to walking with a torch in the Lord, illuminating the world with God's glory and grace. Without genuine sincerity and the Light within us, worship becomes meaningless. Thus, worship should not be viewed as a mere action before God but as a way to express our hearts to the Lord. It is an act of obedience itself.

Romans 12:1–2 NLT

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

13. Last Saturday, our church hosted the Kingdom Music Festival concert, attracting over 260 people who joyfully participated. The atmosphere was filled with singing and praises to the Lord. The success of the event depended on the genuine hearts and minds focused on God. Without a worshipful mindset, the concert would lose its significance, and even a Taylor Swift concert might seem more appealing. In a broader perspective, the world seems to be losing touch with the mind of God because many churches have prioritized their own style of worship rather than being centered on God. Worship has sometimes resembled a performance, akin to a famous musician's concert. Despite adhering to a specific service order, churches may lose the true essence of worship. When we lose the genuine spirit of worship and lack the light within, our ability to showcase God through our worship diminishes. As a result, the light of God remains hidden, and people in the world cannot perceive His brilliance. The purpose of worship is to bear the fruit of the Spirit, showcasing God's glory and grace to the world. Without producing this fruit, we are unable to effectively reflect it.

Ephesians 5:9 AMP

For the fruit (the effect, the product) of the Light or the Spirit [consists] in every form of kindly goodness, uprightness of heart, and trueness of life.

14. When considering worship, it's common to mistakenly believe that we can properly worship the Lord by having a nice building, a sufficient number of congregants, and impressive tools. However, if worship relies on these external factors, it becomes a product of our efforts. It's important to recognize that God doesn't value worship based solely on our endeavors. He doesn't require a visually pleasing temple or tools and concerts from us. What God truly desires is us—individuals who earnestly seek Him and His kingdom, those who embrace Him in faith and follow His path with the guidance of the Spirit. Therefore, true worship occurs when believers in Jesus walk in the light and love, presenting their worship before God.

John 4:23–24 NKJV

But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Psalm 51:17 (NLT)

The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.

15. Hence, to embrace love and light in our lives, the initial step is surrendering our hearts to the Lord. If our aim is to showcase God's love and grace to the world, it is crucial to undergo a renewal of our hearts. We are fortunate because God provides us with the Holy Spirit to revitalize our hearts and illuminate the light within us. Walking in the Light signifies moving forward with the Spirit to exhibit God's attributes to the world. With the Spirit's assistance, we can generate the fruit of the Spirit, representing the characteristics of God.

Galatians 5:22–23 ESV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

16. To ensure our w orship is acceptable, we must renew our hearts and minds. It's crucial to recognize that we are now walking in love, signifying our adoption of a new identity in God. God has bestowed His identity upon us, empowering us to walk in the light, by the light, and with the light. Through this, people can witness the light when we display it within us. The key to showcasing this light is worshipping the Lord with a reverent heart and mind. Guided by the Spirit of God and fueled by the love of Jesus, we can manifest God's love through our actions. Let's stay focused on God and maintain a God-centered life. With the light of God within us, it is our responsibility to illuminate the world and reveal God's love to those around us.